Lemonade is a delightful beverage that many people enjoy on hot summer days. However, few are aware of its incredible benefits such as boosting your immune system, aiding digestion, rejuvenating skin, and effectively assisting in weight loss.
Benefits and Risks of Lemonade
- Boosts Immune System
- Relieves Heartburn and Constipation
- Reduces Bloating
- Decreases Risk of Kidney Stones
- Treats Bad Breath
- Rejuvenates Skin
- Prevents Osteoporosis
- Cleanses Skin
- Freshens Breath
- Balances pH Levels
- Aids Weight Loss
- Regulates Blood Pressure
- Reduces Fever
- Soothes Sore Throat
- Helps Wounds Heal Faster
- Detoxifies the Liver
- Risks of Drinking Too Much Lemonade
- Who Should Avoid Lemonade
There are numerous benefits to drinking lemonade during seasonal transitions. This beverage is not only easy to make but also helps improve immunity, aids digestion, and effectively combats bad breath.
As a familiar and inexpensive drink, lemonade offers many health benefits, particularly for women. Some of the most well-known effects of lemonade include:
Start your day with a glass of lemonade for numerous health benefits.
Boosts Immune System
Lemonade is rich in vitamin C, which helps boost the immune system and fight off colds and flu. According to nutritionist Michele Chevalley Hedge, lemons also enhance the body’s iron absorption, a crucial nutrient for a healthy immune system. Chevalley states, “Vitamin C can enhance the absorption of non-heme iron, a type of iron derived from plants, by four times“.
Relieves Heartburn and Constipation
Lemons can alleviate common stomach issues such as nausea and heartburn, effectively “eliminating” harmful bacteria. If you maintain a regular habit of drinking lemonade, you can also reduce the risk of experiencing constipation. When feeling bloated or having difficulty digesting, a glass of lemonade can help improve the situation.
Lemonade quickly alleviates bloating and discomfort.
Reduces Bloating
If you find your clothes fitting a bit tighter than usual, a glass of lemonade might be just what you need. Nutrition consultant Jodi Greebel explains, “Lemonade reduces bloating as it acts as a diuretic, which is helpful when your body is retaining fluids“.
Decreases Risk of Kidney Stones
According to research published in the European Urology Journal, approximately 8.8% of adults will experience kidney stones. Drinking lemonade can help you avoid this uncomfortable condition.
“If you have certain types of kidney stones, the citric acid in lemonade can help break them down and dissolve them,” says nutritionist Alicia Galvin.
Treats Bad Breath
Drinking lemonade can help alleviate unpleasant bad breath, which many may not know. The citric acid in lemons stimulates saliva production, producing lysozyme, which eliminates oral bacteria and reduces the risk of bad breath.
Rejuvenates Skin
According to Chevalley, lemons are very beneficial in combating skin aging. Their antioxidant properties help eliminate damage caused by free radicals, which are responsible for signs of aging. “We all know that lemons are high in vitamin C, which helps synthesize collagen and reduces wrinkles. Vitamin C is essential for synthesizing amino acids into collagen, which binds tissues together and keeps the skin firm,” Chevalley explains.
Prevents Osteoporosis
The citric acid in lemons can increase the body’s calcium absorption rate, improve bone density, and help prevent osteoporosis. Therefore, lemons are often used in meals to enhance nutritional absorption.
Cleanses Skin
To achieve beautiful and radiant skin, hydration and vitamins are key factors, both of which are present in lemonade. It moisturizes the skin, preventing dryness and reducing dark circles under the eyes. The vitamin C content in lemons helps prevent oxidation, warding off early signs of aging.
Honey and lemon create the perfect combination for full nutrient absorption, energy, and boosting collagen levels in the body. High collagen levels will make your skin look naturally radiant.
Freshens Breath
The disinfectant properties of lemonade help eliminate harmful bacteria in the mouth. A glass of lemonade can also be a refreshing alternative to coffee.
There is currently no experimental evidence on the optimal temperature for lemonade; however, Chevalley Hedge recommends consuming lemonade at room temperature. “Most health experts agree that room temperature is closest to our body temperature and causes minimal reaction with the digestive system.”
Chevalley suggests that a large quantity of lemonade would be required to harm tooth enamel, but if you are concerned about this issue, rinsing with clean water after consuming a glass of lemonade is advisable.
Balances pH Levels
Lemons are one of the alkaline-rich foods beneficial for the body, with an appropriate pH level. Too much acidity in the body can lead to inflammation. According to Chevalley, “Lemonade has alkaline properties while most of us have bodies that are highly acidic. However, food researchers still mistakenly believe that lemons are acidic when, in fact, they are alkaline.“
Lemonade rich in alkalinity helps balance pH levels in the body.
Aids Weight Loss
Experts say that to lose weight effectively, you should drink lemonade daily. It helps muscles stay hydrated, enabling them to function optimally, promoting energy and health. Lemonade can help curb hunger while keeping your stomach hydrated and providing sufficient fiber.
If you want to achieve faster weight loss, add honey to lemon water; this will bring your stomach into perfect balance.
Blood Pressure Control
Nowadays, many people suffer from blood pressure issues due to the abuse of processed foods, which leads to stress and lack of sleep. If you want to stabilize your blood pressure without medication, lemon water is your remedy. Lemon water helps improve blood circulation and enhances your cardiovascular system. Drinking lemon water provides potassium and natural energy, reducing stress and helping you sleep better.
A glass of lemon water daily reduces stress and helps you sleep better.
Fever Reduction
To quickly reduce a fever and avoid electrolyte imbalances, drink a glass of fresh lemon water; it will be effective immediately.
Just because lemon water has many health benefits doesn’t mean you can drink it excessively. According to experts, if you are healthy and have a normal weight, you should drink half a lemon mixed with water, divided into two servings per day. If you are overweight, you can drink a glass of lemon water (one whole lemon) each day.
Sore Throat Remedy
Experts say that antioxidants and antibacterial properties in lemons can prevent infections and eliminate harmful chemicals in the body. Lemon water not only helps regulate healthy breath but also protects your throat and tonsils, aiding in the treatment of asthma.
The combination of lemon water and honey helps you heal a sore throat quickly.
Promotes Wound Healing
Ascorbic acid, or vitamin C, helps wounds heal quickly and is an essential nutrient for maintaining healthy bones, tissues, and cartilage, while also reducing inflammation in the body.
According to Chevalley, vitamin C travels throughout the body and neutralizes free radicals. These free radicals can interact with healthy cells, destroy cell membranes, and lead to inflammation.
Liver Detoxification
Lemon water also acts as a liver detoxifier. It cleanses the liver and enhances its function by increasing bile production, which is essential for digestion. Lemon water helps control excess bile, reduces mucus production in the body, and aids in dissolving gallstones.
A glass of water with half a lemon each day revitalizes both body and mind.
Dangers of Drinking Too Much Lemon Water
Lemon Water Can Damage Teeth
According to the American Dental Association, due to the high acidity of lemons, frequent exposure can erode tooth enamel. At the very least, try drinking through a straw to reduce direct contact with the acid on your teeth. Avoid brushing your teeth immediately after drinking lemon water and drink plenty of plain water alongside it.
Too Much Lemon Water Can Upset the Stomach
While lemon water has many intestinal health benefits, Medical News Today states that squeezing too much lemon into water can exacerbate common conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and acid reflux.
GERD and acid reflux are triggered by acidic foods like lemons and can cause symptoms such as heartburn, nausea, and vomiting.
Lemon Peels Can Harbor Germs
You should avoid adding whole lemon slices to your drink when dining out.
In a 2007 study published in the Journal of Environmental Health, researchers tested 76 lemon samples from 21 different restaurants and found that many contained harmful microorganisms.
To minimize risk, squeeze lemon into your drink instead of dropping the whole lemon in. And if you see staff preparing lemons without gloves, it’s best to stick with plain water.
The Acidity of Lemon Water Can Exacerbate Canker Sores
Drinking too much lemon water can worsen canker sores.
There’s nothing worse than waking up with the discomfort of a newly formed canker sore. While most will heal on their own within a week or two, excessive lemon water consumption can exacerbate the condition, according to the American Dental Association.
Additionally, if you are consuming a lot of citrus fruits, they could even be the underlying cause of canker sores.
Who Should Avoid Lemon Water
Hungry Individuals Should Avoid Lemon Water
When you are hungry, you should not drink lemon water. Consuming this beverage on an empty stomach can adversely affect your stomach. The acid in lemons can erode the stomach lining, leading to inflammation or even bleeding. Therefore, it is best to drink lemon water about 30 minutes after a meal.
Individuals with Stomach Conditions Should Limit Lemon Water
Excessive lemon water consumption can significantly worsen symptoms of stomach conditions like reflux syndrome. This is due to the high acid content in lemons. People with reflux or heartburn will find that drinking too much lemon water exacerbates their condition.
Individuals Feeling Cold or Tired Should Avoid Lemon Water
If you are feeling cold or fatigued, you should avoid lemon water because lemons are cooling in nature, which can make your body feel colder, more fatigued, or cause stiffness in finger joints and nerve pain.
Individuals with Diarrhea Should Avoid Lemon Water
If you are experiencing diarrhea due to bacterial infection, lemon water can provide antibacterial benefits. However, if your diarrhea is due to an improper diet, it is best to avoid lemon water.
